MPPAW Member Survey: Shaping Our Future Direction

Introduction

MPPAW is at a crossroads. We’re evaluating our programming and structure to determine if there is a viable path to increase member engagement. Your input will directly shape our priorities for the coming year. This survey should take about 10 minutes to complete.

Current Engagement & Value:

How would you describe your current level of engagement with MPPAW?

Very active (attend most events, volunteer regularly)

Moderately active (attend some events, occasional volunteering)

Minimally active (attend rarely, no volunteering)

Not currently active but interested in re-engaging

Not currently active and unlikely to re-engage

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What initially motivated you to join MPPAW? (Select all that apply)

Professional networking

Learning from expert speakers

Career development opportunities

Mentorship (giving or receiving)

Contributing to the applied psychology community

Student/early career support

Other

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Please specify the motivation:

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Which of these factors, if any, have reduced your participation in MPPAW activities? (Select all that apply)

Time constraints/busy schedule

Event timing doesn't work for me

Content not relevant to my current needs

Prefer online professional communities (LinkedIn, Reddit, etc.)

Geographic distance/location issues

Post-pandemic preference for virtual engagement -- Other priorities took precedence

Events don't provide enough networking opportunity

Other

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Please specify the factor(s):

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Future Programming Priorities:

Please rank your top 3 program formatting preferences:

Which of the following program formats would be most valuable to you? (Top choice)

Choose an option... Expanded mentorship program (structured mentor/mentee matching) Large annual networking event/conference Quarterly intensive workshops (3-4 per year) Career development events (panels, job fairs) Special interest groups (small, focused topic groups) Community service/giving back projects Virtual networking sessions Professional development certification programs Other

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Please specify the format:

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Which of the following program formats would be second most valuable to you? (second best choice)

Choose an option... Expanded mentorship program (structured mentor/mentee matching) Large annual networking event/conference Quarterly intensive workshops (3-4 per year) Career development events (panels, job fairs) Special interest groups (small, focused topic groups) Community service/giving back projects Virtual networking sessions Professional development certification programs Other

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Please specify the format:

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Which of the following program formats would be third most valuable to you? (third best choice)

Choose an option... Expanded mentorship program (structured mentor/mentee matching) Large annual networking event/conference Quarterly intensive workshops (3-4 per year) Career development events (panels, job fairs) Special interest groups (small, focused topic groups) Community service/giving back projects Virtual networking sessions Professional development certification programs Other

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Please specify the format:

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Mentorship:

The next 6 questions all regard the MPPAW mentorship program

Would you be likely to participate as a mentor?

Yes, definitely

Yes, possibly depending on time commitment

No, but I might in the future

No

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Would you be likely to participate as a mentee?

Yes, definitely

Yes, possibly depending on the match

No, but I might in the future

No

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What mentoring time commitment works best for your schedule?

1-3 months

3-6 months

6-12 months

Ongoing/flexible timing

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What mentoring structure do you prefer? (Select all that apply)

One-on-one mentoring

Small group mentoring (3-5 people)

Large group mentoring circles (6+ people)

Peer-to-peer mentoring networks

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What level of mentoring formality works best for you? (Select all that apply)

Structured program with set goals and milestones

Semi-structured with some guidelines but flexibility

Informal relationship-building and advice sharing

Event-based networking opportunities

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What mentoring format(s) would you participate in? (Select all that apply)

Virtual meetings only

In-person meetings only

Hybrid (combination of virtual and in-person)

Asynchronous communication (email, messaging platforms)

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Community Contribution & Volunteering:

How interested would you be in contributing to MPPAW in the following ways?

	Very interested	Somewhat interested	Not interested
Serving on the board of directors	Very interested Somewhat interested Not interested *
Helping plan/organize events	Very interested Somewhat interested Not interested *
Speaking at events or leading workshops	Very interested Somewhat interested Not interested *
Mentoring other members	Very interested Somewhat interested Not interested *
Recruiting new members	Very interested Somewhat interested Not interested *
Social media/marketing support	Very interested Somewhat interested Not interested *
Administrative/operational support	Very interested Somewhat interested Not interested *

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What would motivate you to volunteer more with MPPAW? (Select all that apply)

Clearer time commitments upfront

Smaller, more defined tasks

Recognition for contributions

Professional development opportunities through volunteering

Working with specific people I know

Contributing to causes I care about

Building my own network/visibility

Flexible, remote volunteering options

Other

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Please specify the motivation:

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Organizational Structure & Membership:

How important is it to you that MPPAW continues to charge membership dues?

Very important - dues ensure commitment and fund activities

Somewhat important - reasonable dues are acceptable

Not important - prefer free or donation-based model

Don't know/no opinion

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Would you support higher membership dues if they enabled significantly enhanced programming and services?

Yes, I would support a substantial increase (50%+ higher) for premium programming

Yes, I would support a moderate increase (25-50% higher) for improved programming

Yes, I would support a small increase (up to 25% higher) for some enhancements

No, I prefer to keep dues at the current level

No, I would prefer lower dues even if it means fewer programs

It depends on what specific enhancements would be offered

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What types of enhanced programming would justify higher dues to you? (Select all that apply)

Higher-caliber speakers and events (e.g., speaker compensation and travel)

More frequent programming

Professional development workshops

Enhanced networking opportunities

Better venues and catering

Additional member services (career resources, online platform, etc.)

Scholarships or subsidies for members

Other

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Please specify the type of enhanced programming:

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What would you most like to give back to the applied psychology community through MPPAW?

Share my professional expertise

Support students/early career professionals

Help build professional networks

Advance the field through research/practice sharing

Create inclusive opportunities for underrepresented groups

Advocate for the profession

Other

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Please specify what you would like to give back:

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Demographics & Engagement Preferences:

What best describes your current career stage?

Student (undergraduate)

Student (graduate)

Early career (0-5 years post-graduation)

Mid-career (6-15 years)

Senior professional (15+ years)

Retired/transitioning out of full time work

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What’s your preferred way to engage with professional organizations?

In-person events primarily

Virtual events primarily

Hybrid approach

Online community/discussion forums

One-on-one connections

Project-based collaboration

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How did you typically learn about MPPAW events in the past?

Email newsletters

LinkedIn

Word of mouth

University/academic connections

MPPAW website

Other professional networks

Other

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Please specify how you typically learned:

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If you could design the ideal professional organization for applied psychology professionals in Minnesota, what would it look like? (2-3 sentences)

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Is there anything else you’d like the MPPAW board to know as we plan for the future?

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Thank you!

Thank you for your time and input.

Your responses will directly inform MPPAW’s strategic direction for 2025-2026 and beyond.

Please join us in-person or on Zoom on September 23 5:30-7:30 to review the results of this survey and participate in a lively discussion about the future of MPPAW.